Hon. Dr. Abbas Agaba, Secretary General of the Afro-Arab Youth Council, paid tribute on Friday, September 11, 2026, to the late Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, characterizing the monarch both as a symbol of youth leadership and as a cherished personal friend whose passing leaves a profound void across Uganda.
Speaking during a eulogy delivered at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal, Dr. Agaba reflected on a relationship that extended far beyond official diplomatic or cultural boundaries. According to his remarks at the palace, the two men shared a close personal bond, marked by private visits that the AAYC chief noted he would hold closest to his heart for the rest of his life.
“For me, this is not simply the loss of a King. It is the loss of a friend,” Dr. Agaba stated during the memorial proceedings, adding that King Oyo had visited his home on two separate occasions.
A Symbol of Youthful Governance and Cultural Continuity
Addressing the broader significance of the monarch’s reign, Dr. Agaba emphasized that King Oyo’s legacy holds particular weight for young people. Having assumed the immense responsibilities of the Tooro throne from a very young age, the late King demonstrated that age is not a barrier to leadership, service, or the preservation of heritage.
“King Oyo represented a generation of young leaders who demonstrated that age should never be a limitation to leadership, service or responsibility,” Dr. Agaba told those gathered at Karuziika Palace. He further described the monarch as an essential bridge connecting traditional Tooro culture with the aspirations of a modern generation.
As head of the Afro-Arab Youth Council, Dr. Agaba noted that the core tenets of the late King’s life—fostering unity, maintaining cultural pride, and encouraging youth empowerment—closely mirrored the organizational values of the AAYC. He pointed out that the monarch carried out his duties with a combination of calmness, dignity, and accessibility.
Widespread Mourning Across Tooro and the Royal Family
The AAYC Secretary General acknowledged the immense weight of the loss felt by the Royal Family and the people of Tooro Kingdom, emphasizing that the monarch served as a symbol of local identity, heritage and unity. He extended his deepest condolences to the grieving community, noting that the void left by King Oyo extends throughout Uganda’s cultural landscape.
Concluding his tribute, Dr. Agaba invoked the enduring nature of their connection, asserting that mortality cannot dismantle genuine human bonds.
“Death cannot erase friendship,” Dr. Agaba said. “It cannot erase memories. It cannot erase a legacy.”
